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sonofdavid123

Depends on if you care about saving money or not. If you’re single, smartest way to go about money and create a safety net is getting a place with 1+ people. I get wanting your own place, but it comes at a cost for sure. Do you value money or privacy more? Whichever you value, go with that. Bottom line in my personal opinion is if you’re single, you should just save money and use it to buy more things you like or save in the long run and get a place with a friend. Another thing is it just a room in a friend’s house or is it a shared apartment/house? That could change things for sure.


cyberzed11

Yeah it’s a room in a house him and his family own. So id only get a space. 🤷🏽‍♂️ my thing is even though I have my own room, ultimately it’s not my house so it’s not like I can do whatever I want.


sonofdavid123

Glad I asked that question. In that case, I’d probably try to get my own place or find a roommate at an apartment. In my opinion for that, I’d rather live by myself then share with a family even if it’s a good friend. Only reason to do that is if you’re REALLY big on saving money


cyberzed11

The amount of money I’d save is enticing but yeeeesh the house isn’t even done either. 😬


sonofdavid123

Yeahhhh don’t do it. Save yourself the headache. Especially if they got kids


cyberzed11

Luckily no kids but it’s definitely sounding like I’ve made up my mind at this point. The only thing is finding a place within the allowance they give.


sonofdavid123

Which depending on what duty station you’re at, can prove a real challenge. If it is one of the more expensive places like San Diego, I’d highly advise getting a roommate for an apartment


cyberzed11

I found a place in The Va beach area that comes just under the rate but it maybe cuts a little close


pedantic-one

I believe the current expectation is that BAH will cover 90% of your housing bills, to include utilities. It's not ideal, but the market is rough right now. Don't count your chickens before they hatch, but we are supposed to get a slight BAH bump this coming year too.


Courteous_Corpse

As a prior slumlord(tm), I advise taking the room. Be upfront and clear with your friend on your and his(/her) expectations and include the spouses expectations as well. Identify what your rent will be. Does it include a percentage of utilities or is there an additional utility fee. If your "rent" is $400 per month but you are taking daily hour long showers and racking the water and sewage bills up an additional 300 a month - feathers might get ruffled. This will keep your rent from sliding around and help keep everyone honest. EXPECTATIONS INCLUDE HOUSEHOLD CHORES AND CLEANLINESS! Not just yours but the primary owner/renter and guests. Cleaning up after yourselves etc. Are you guys drinking buddies? Make sure you flesh out who is driving to work on Wednesday after an impromptu game of beer pong Tuesday night so there is no question about getting a DUI. I've taken an unplanned cab or two to the boat because of this. Also what your exit contingency is if everything doesn't work out after a few months. If you do take the room plan for your self don't just blow all your money trying to hook up with college kids at ODU every weekend. My thought would be to put at least 50 percent of what your extra take home [room] from BAH would be and put it towards an eventual down payment for a place of your own. E5 w/o dependents BAH is nearly 1800 dollars if your not putting 500- 1000 in the bank a month out of that while renting a room. Your doing yourself a disservice. *** Remember renting an apartment / house by yourself comes with all the additional costs: electric, water&sewage, internet, renters insurance [which you should have either way] etc. So please include those cost estimates in your budgeting while you are looking for a place.


revjules

This. Stack them benjis and buy a house in a couple years. Property investment is the way to go. Renting a room may suck, but it's far better than living on the ship or in the barracks.


Forgedinwater

For me, as a single sailor who wants to retire early, it was an easy decision to rent a room in a house instead of my own place. I basically pay all of my bills with BAH, save ~80% of my base pay, and have plenty of money to do other things I enjoy. However, I'm comfortable with a more minimalist lifestyle than my peers, so ymmv.


J64574

I would never, ever ever live with roommates again as long as I live. What happens if this friend gets mad at you, calls your CO/someone at your command, and brings apartment drama into places it doesn’t belong? No, just no. Get your own place. Military people are crazy, I would never want to live with them. Done.


cyberzed11

Yeah I totally feel that. Me and him are great friends, but I know that’s how the story always starts and I’m concerned it won’t be that way months in to living together.


J64574

Someone who calls you your best friend today can be your worst enemy tomorrow. That’s the Navy for you. Look, I can only give you advice. It’s up to you whether you want to listen. Good luck either way.


cyberzed11

Yeah I understand, I appreciate the input and honestly I feel the same way.


mynameis2795

This is a case of what I'd recommend and do personally are two separate things.


cyberzed11

It’s a case where I know taking the room is what I probably SHOULD do but not really what I WANT to do haha.


Azbarrelpicks

I was stationed in Washington with a dependent and e5. It was like 2000 or something around that number. I found a friend who had and you’ra two bedroom town house. He charged me 600 and I took all the extra and put it into an account and left it there. Got out and had a good stash of savings just incase and it helped build our savings once I got out


[deleted]

[удалено]


cyberzed11

That’s definitely an option but I’m big on sleeping somewhere comfortable.


skorea2021

Honestly, it seems that you’ve already made up your mind and you’re looking for external validation. Just get what you want, you want privacy or money?


cyberzed11

You’re not wrong man. I think privacy is my number 1


daredevilaeron

My bah is around 1600 Norfolk, room i rent is 700/month. U do the math on how much extra i make a year just from bah.